Friday 4th January 2013

E-Class coupe and cabrio refreshed

New nose and plenty of safety kit to keep it clean among the range-wide updates

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Mercedes announced a major facelift for the E-Class saloon and estate ranges not long ago and, not long after, comes the not entirely unexpected news that the coupe and cabrio are also due a refresh.

New lights significantly change looks

As Mercedes facelifts go this one's actually relatively dramatic, the E's new face much swoopier and more confident than before. From there back the metalwork is familiar enough, including the distinctive rear arch detailing inspired by its 50s 'Ponton' forebear.

The real focus of this mid-life update is in the tech though and, by gum, there's a lot of it. Maybe Mercedes has suddenly got worried that its cars are now too refined too because much of it seems geared to preventing you from nodding off and/or mitigating the circumstances should you manage to sleep through the bleeps and bongs that erupt from the 'Attention Assist' first introduced with this generation of E-Class.

Anyone worried about feeling a bit redundant at the wheel had best look away now because the amount of kit the new E-Class features to protect you from yourself is staggering. This includes a 'Stereo Multi-Purpose Camera' that performs "an evaluation of three-dimensional visual information in order to detect vehicles that are driving ahead, oncoming or crossing, as well as pedestrians and a variety of traffic signs and road markings within a large field of vision." Back in the day this was known as 'looking where you're going' but now it seems there's an app for that.

Stylish, comfy, refined but not especially exciting

Much of this kit is optional but all UK coupes and cabs get the Collision Prevention Assist as standard, featuring radar controlled brake assistance to mitigate rear-end collisions. Attention Assist has also been upgraded and now casts an even sterner eye on your drowsiness levels, though the sensitivity can now be adjusted.

So, lots of different ways to help the new E-Class stop. Making it go are two petrol (E200 and E250) and three diesel (220 CDI, 250 CDI and 350 Bluetec) options, only the latter of which has more than four cylinders. The petrol engine's fightback against diesel dominance continues, the two non-diesel options getting Mercedes' BlueDirect 'stratified lean burn' direct injection tech. There remains the nominal choice of a six-speed manual; most will tick the box for the 7G-Tronic Plus auto and be glad they did.

Old school style, new school tech

With the C-Class coupe and forthcoming hot versions of the new A-Class geared towards the sportier end of the market the E-Class coupe seems to be comfortably easing back into more traditional Merc coupe territory without any AMG influence. Which in some ways is nice to know, those W124 coupes and cabrios it shares its mindset with an enduringly popular choice for those seeking an old-school interpretation of luxurious indulgence. A sensible car for grown-ups in other words, there being plenty of V8 hooliganism elsewhere in the range if that's your thing.

[hornbaek]

Whilst BMW seems to loose the plot with endless permutations of similarly ugly looking models Mercedes is picking up the pace.

[GranCab]

All that tech. is aimed at the target audience of semi-blind, slow-witted (wealthy) O.A.Ps.

[FWDRacer]

GranCab said:

All that tech. is aimed at the target audience of semi-blind, slow-witted (wealthy) O.A.Ps.

Nail. Head. Hit.

Not even reliable enough for Stuttgarts taxi ranks anymore either.

[mrclav]

That interior is lovely.

[kambites]

The new lights do indeed make a big difference - that's really quite a handsome car, now.

[Vilhelm]

Probably the most handsome car in their lineup now. Got good safety tech too, for those among us who sometimes forget to breathe.

[pSyCoSiS]

That is a vast improvement over the curent E class Coupe and Cabrio.

The current E Class saloon just doesn't look right IMHO. Reminds me of a Hyundai from the rear lights.

And the quality of the current E Class is hideous - the previous generation W211 model was way more solid than the current model. The current S Class is also a disappointment in terms of fit and feel.

Mercedes really need to making these cars properly, especially given the fact they are north of £40k when specced up!

It's all well and good having the high end technology, but if the environment in which it is housed feels cheap and flimsy, it takes away from the pleasure of owning / driving / being in one.

[Davel]

GranCab said:

All that tech. is aimed at the target audience of semi-blind, slow-witted (wealthy) O.A.Ps.

Just when I was getting tempted!

[avangeline]

That is a vast improvement over the curent E class Coupe and Cabrio.

[danyeates]

hornbaek said:

Whilst BMW seems to loose the plot with endless permutations of similarly ugly looking models Mercedes is picking up the pace.

I've been test driving lots of cars recently as my dad is buying a new company motor. Been in a few Mercedes and BMWs, and I must say I preferred all the BMWs. Much nicer interiors, better equipped, seem to have come much further in terms of their onboard technology and engine technology and the BMW was generally a better drive.

PS. The new E-Class does look stunning though!

[SAndals]

Bulbous hips and a droopy arse. No thanks.

[365daytonafan]

I was surprsied the E class coupe was still in production, since the C class coupe came out don't seem to see any around with late registrations.

[RenesisEvo]

Suprisingly, a face-lift that does improve the looks, even being a fan of the current (out-going?) E-class coupe. The styling seemed much more coherent on the coupe/cab than the saloon, on which the rear arch line just looks like a tacked-on afterthought.

Article said:

Stylish, comfy, refined but not especially exciting

Based on my experience with the E350 diesel drop-top with AMG bits, I'd agree for the most part. The steering was very light and really lacked involvement. With the side windows down, the turbulence was a bit much even at 40mph, even using the 'Airscarf' and spoiler over the windscreen. Side windows up, it was great. I found the seats to be rock hard and not that comfortable, surprising for what should be a comfortable cruiser. Impressively smooth power delivery with the autobox, it just silently, gracefully 'wooshed' to significant velocities with such ease it was almost disdainful. A nice car to tool around in and be seen it, but not that involving.

EDIT: I contradicted myself by saying I agree then went on to say I didn't find it that comfortable!

Edited by RenesisEvo on Friday 4th January 10:12

[Rarefied Brains]

Nice looking, but not as handsome as my MY'04 C180K IMO

[garypotter]

[quote=RenesisEvo]

Based on my experience with the E350 diesel drop-top with AMG bits, I'd agree entirely. The steering was very light and really lacked involvement.

I did not think the E class is built for the joe public that want involvement when driving.

[TTGuy]

Coupe is nice looking, but has anybody seen the facelifted E-Class saloon yet? It is absolutely hideous looking, possibly the ugliest looking car Mercedes has ever built!

[Oddball RS]

TTGuy said:

Coupe is nice looking, but has anybody seen the facelifted E-Class saloon yet? It is absolutely hideous looking, possibly the ugliest looking car Mercedes has ever built!

Well i've seen much worse, maybe i've been looking at different cars?

[goron59]

Awkward rear arches, weird lights... not very pleasant to look at, I don't think. Possibly better looking than the previous one though.

[RenesisEvo]

garypotter said:

I did not think the E class is built for the joe public that want involvement when driving.

I understand where you are coming from. I just feel given the price tag, the AMG 'sports' package and the image of the car, there would be a modicum of involvement when pressing on. It's feels like a special car to be in, but it's nowhere near as special to drive - a bit like a super model that's rather average and disinterested in the sack.

[herebebeasties]

Is is just me or do the rear haunches on that look God-awful?